Quote:
Originally Posted by Drybrain
I don't know the status of the project (design review committee approved it, no?), but when a developer is trying to tear down three listed heritage buildings, I guess he should expect some red tape and opposition. That's not a Halifax-specific thing. What is a Halifax-specific thing is that whenever any tiny little hold-up in a project occurs, developers can go boo-hoo-ing to the press and get a sympathetic hearing, making the public feel like the heritage lobby is somehow enormously powerful in the city--when really, they're not.
|
I don't know, Dry. I don't like this lack of transparency and any heritage behind-the-scenes politicking. It's not only undemocratic, but pretty elitist BS, and a problem with how this city has been run for so long.
The story has a ring of truth about it, because it's not the first time something like this has happened. If some bureaucrats sympathetic or connected to Heritage Activists are holding things up, then I'm not sure what recourse a citizen has other than bringing the story to media. Those holding things up *should* be blasted; it's not how the process is supposed to work.
If heritage promoters have a problem with HRMxD or the CDAC process, then they should run for office, build a coalition, change the rules, the way HRMxD became law. Don't lobby behind the scenes with their NIMBY pals in the HRM government.
The reason why Heritage Lobby is not *politically* powerful in Halifax is because of their own stupidity-- opposing things that need not be opposed, being completely uncompromising, and being generally useless in actually building or preserving heritage.
This project is case and point. They even opposed the FULL restoration and preservation of the Merrill Lynch Bank building. Idiots.